A prominent veterinarian describes the 5 WARNING SIGNS your puppy’s vomiting means a medical emergency.
Throwing up is common in puppies. “Some of the minor causes of vomiting include intestinal or stomach viruses, parasites, and also dietary indiscretions (eating garbage or other irritating materials),” points out Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, with The Caring Vet in NY.
Five Signs Vomiting in a Puppy Means Seek Immediate Medical Attention
“Bloat.” The puppy’s belly is sticking out and is repeatedly throwing up; also showing signs of extreme distress, panting, drooling and retching.
This condition is called torsion and affects large breeds. It can be especially brought on by exercising your dog very soon after it eats a full meal.
The dog’s or puppy’s stomach becomes swollen; the stomach organ twists, or torques.
This life-threatening condition requires veterinary help as soon as possible; it can kill your pet.
Look at your puppy’s vomit. If the vomit contains non-edible items, do not panic.
But if in addition your puppy is straining with its bowel movements, is distressed or retching, this can signal a medical emergency.
Is there blood in the vomit? This may mean a stomach ulcer or esophageal inflammation.
Do not delay medical treatment, including if the throwing up is forceful–even if the puppy has not recently eaten.
Vomiting is accompanied by other symptoms like refusal of food, lethargy, panting, diarrhea and other distress.
This may mean a systemic infection or poisoning, or Parvo, which can kill. See a veterinarian asap.
Repeated vomiting, even with no other symptoms, is alarming and warrants medical attention asap for your puppy (or grown dog).
Did you know that repeatedly throwing up can cause life-threatening dehydration?
Do not sit back and wait to see what happens! IT IS WHAT IT IS: A puppy is vomiting.
There are other symptoms or peculiarities. Your gut is telling you this isn’t right. Get immediate medical attention.
Don’t be like my massage therapist who waited to see “if it would get worse” in her large breed. It DID get worse: Her dog died from bloat.
Dr. Selmer offers conventional Western plus holistic veterinary medicine, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine including acupuncture and herbal therapy, and integrative medical care for dogs and cats.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
